of the Gastromycous Order of Fungi. 153 



the change commencing with the parts surrounding the pileus, 

 and the sporules may now be first distinguished in white de- 

 tached masses. The peridium next assumes a light brown co- 

 lour; and being still partially pellucid, the internal filaments 

 of a darker brown, and the interspersed groups of sporules, are 

 distinctly visible through its shining surface {fig. d.). As the 

 sporules attain maturity, the peridium becomes opaque, and of 

 a full though lively brown ; but soon cracking irregularly, and 

 peeling off from the expansion of the filaments, the sporules are 

 exposed ; and the sporangium, from their dispersion, loses its 

 regular shape and becomes ragged and broken {fig. e.). 



The curious and peculiar structure of this interesting plant 

 no\y first becomes apparent, and causes it to assume a new and 

 altered character. As the seeds disperse, the filaments, hitherto 

 concealed, are exposed to view ; and by the assistance of a high 

 magnifying power, are found to issue from the inferior surface 

 of the pileus, as in the genus Hydnum ; but infinitely longer in 

 proportion, and occasionally branched. The pileus is also 

 found to be fixed centrally by its under surface on the top of the 

 pedicel or stipes, which rises independently through the axis of 

 the sporangium. When therefore, from the ripening of the 

 seeds, the peridium bursts, and the filaments are set at liberty, 

 their elasticity or hygrometrical sensibility soon enables them 

 to expand, and to acquire first a horizontal, and afterwards a 

 more perpendicular or erect position. Many of them rise, like 

 a curled lock of hair, above the pileus, giving to the plant a 

 real increase of altitude ; while the stipes appears to be elon- 

 gated, by its upper portion (originally concealed within the 

 sporangium) being exposed to view. The course of the fila- 

 ments during their erection may be compared to that of the 

 whalebone stretchers of an umbrella in the act of its being un- 

 furled. A few of them may be seen in^^. e. just disengaged 



X 2 • from 



